Girl from the North Country premiered in 2017 and has now returned to the Old Vic Theatre, running until 23rd August. I wasn’t initially sure about going to this production my dad really wanted to see it but I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised.
The plot was somewhat confusing and not always cohesive, centering on a struggling community in Duluth, Minnesota, during the Great Depression. A group of disparate travellers find themselves taking refuge in a local guesthouse. Amid poverty and uncertainty, the characters connect through moments of tenderness, hardship, and above all, music.
While the narrator aimed to thread the story together, I felt that his role didn’t add much clarity. At times, the storytelling lacked direction, and some plot points felt underdeveloped. That said, what the production occasionally missed in narrative strength, it made up for in musical brilliance.
The music was the true heartbeat of the show. Every song made you want to sway or groove in your seat. Drawing from Bob Dylan’s catalogue, the songs were beautifully reimagined with a soulful, gospel-inflected twist that gave them new emotional weight. I was especially struck by three powerhouse performers: Justine Kehinde as Marianne Laine, Katie Brayben as Elizabeth Laine, and Sifiso Mazibuko as Joe Scott.
Sifiso Mazibuko stood out as a commanding presence on stage his voice rich and resonant, his performance layered and moving. His final scene left a deep impression and reminded me of the dignity and emotional gravitas of Sidney Poitier.
Visually, the set was stunning in its simplicity evocative without being overdone. I found the second half of the production to be stronger than the first, with its pacing more focused and emotionally impactful. There were moments of sheer brilliance, where performance, music, and emotion all came together powerfully.
It was, at times, achingly sad. But that melancholy is part of what made the show so memorable. Girl from the North Country doesn’t offer easy answers or polished resolutions, but it leaves you with something deeper an impression of resilience, community, and the quiet power of song.